The countdown is on! Sponsors and guests gather ahead of Express and Star Business Awards in June
The entires are in - and with less than a month to go until the prestigious Express and Star Business Awards take place, sponsors and guests gathered in Wolverhampton to mark the start of the official countdown to the event.
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The 2025 Express & Star Business Awards officially launched earlier this year, set to showcase the leading players in commerce across the Black Country, culminating in a glittering ceremony next month where a host of awards are handed out.
The journey culminates in a showcase awards night at The Halls Wolverhampton on Thursday, June 5, where finalists, esteemed sponsors, and prominent figures from the business and civic world will gather for an unforgettable evening of celebration, networking, and recognition.
Entries closed in all catgories last month, and Express and Star Editor Mark Drew told sponsors and guests that the judging process, which had been carried out over the past month, had been a difficult process due to the quality of the entries received.
"It's been a real eye opener to get a taste of how other businesses are run," he said.
"We visited many different types of businesses, all equally inspiring in many ways, all equally difficult to judge.
"We're very lucky to have this incredible venue available to us for the evening - the halls and the grand theatre nearby are the crowing glory of this city and for the millions spent on the refubishment the stage is original. So, if you get onto stage then just think - you'll be sharing the same space where David Bowie, Robert Plant, Slade, all those kind of people have once walked and it really is history under your feet.
"Thank you so much to you all for your support of the event and I look forward to seeing you again at the business awards ceremony where the winners will be announced."
The awards are the ultimate celebration of innovation, achievement, and excellence across the vibrant spectrum of our region's commercial landscape, spotlighting outstanding businesses, championing success stories and highlighting best practice to inspire the entire community.
Last year's event marked the 150th anniversary of the Express and Star, and a glittering 2024 event saw Inco Contracts, of Dunston Business Village, near Stafford, sweep the honours in the Business of the Year award, while Four Ashes firm UK Fire Door Training took Young Business of the Year. APC Chief Executive Jonathan Smith was named Business Person of the Year
This year the trophies and programme are set to be sponsored by Compass Group.
